Marti Ahtisaari, presumed author of report on security of U.N. staff in Iraq, started a new mission
as Special Representative of the Secretary general for the Horn of Africa. In mid-October, he
visited the drought-stricken region in order "to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis" in that
area and review "ongoing measures to address the food security situation." That is all talk of
course. No real action is taken. It is just an excuse to give Ahtisaari a senior U.N. position. His
Baghdad report was most recently used to seek $100 million in support of the Secretary General's
new jobs for "updated" security. Why would a former President of Finland, former High Commissioner
for Namibia, former Under-Secretary General for Administration and Management seek such an
irrelevant non-appointment? Is it worth being told by a deputy governor of the remote Gash Barka region
in Eritrea that "we appreciate your interest" but the solution is elsewhere?

FIRM ON TOILETS:

Total command over toilets. That may be the only area left for those courageous leaders to display
their undisputed authority. First they shift ladies and gentlemen to the embarrassed confusion of
diplomats, staff and hurried visitors. Now they place guards near the entrance demanding clear
identification. It was farcical to watch a diligent young guard standing lonely yet firm at the
approach to the men's room of the empty North Delegates Lounge during U.N. Day's evening
performance by Kuwaiti Television Orchestra. In wide contrast to the ever pleasant yet efficient
experienced guards, the unfamiliar young fellow guarding the door would insist on allowing only
those producing a distinguished Delegate's pass. That meant excluding more than half of those
present. Pressed visitors were obliged to express their comments in more than one form.

DON'T FENCE ME IN:

Visitors to the U.N. compound have been wondering about new black steel fences that are being set
at all three main entrances, from 42 to 47 Streets, as another intermittant wall is being built
along First Avenue. Along with security measures and forthcoming proposals, there is an apprehension
that the Secretariat will actually fall into a "bunker mentality." In a little while, some staff
may start to refer to the blunt structure as the "Annan Wall."

VARIATIONS ON A THEME:

During his October visit to Ireland, where he was treated royally by a solid U.N. country, a
journalist could not help asking him after all those recent setbacks whether the Organization, by this
time (of his leadership) has become "damaged goods." His response: "We took a hit; we had a setback; we
went through a very difficult period. But I wouldn't say damaged goods. I think that's a bit too far."

ARIZONA DEBATE HALL DESIGNED FOR IRAQ OPERA:

In an accident of history, the wall where the last Bush-Kerry debate took place in Tempe University,
Arizona, was originally designed by the great American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, to be a model
for an Opera house in Baghdad! Under the Hashemite dynesty, King Faisal II government commissioned
the design. But after the fall of the monarcy in a July 1958 bloody military coup, the King was killed
and the design was shelved. It was later altered to accommodate a hall for social, cultural, and
artistical activities at the University of Arizona.

"LEWD" LUBBERS, AGAIN:

First it was female staff who complained about his sexual advances. Now it is delegates from
countries friendly to his country. Canadian, Norwegian, and Australian representatives in Geneva
criticized him openly for failing to act against three supervisors who in turn had failed to prevent
sexual exploitation of Bhutanese women and children in Nepal two years ago, despite a recommendation
of disciplinary action from UNHCR Inspector General. Two years ago Ludders dismissed concern about
abuse of children in Africa refugee camps, almost blaming the victims for being refugees!

GLOBAL DAY OF PAIN:

Cheer up, all you unhappy people. 11 October is an officially declared global day against pain.
One of its co-sponsors, the World Health Organization, discusses its purpose as drawing attention
"to the urgent need for better pain relief for sufferers." It claims that the majority of pain
victims are in the low and middle income countries. "Limited health resources should not be
allowed to deny sick people and their families the dignity of access to pain relief and
palliative care," stated a statement on that occasion. So if you think that no one feels your pain,
call Geneva or email to www.who.org.

EASY ON THE CAVIAR:

One of the best kept secrets in international structure is the "Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Floral and Fauna" -- "CITES" for short. It meets in hardship tough spots like
Bangkok, hospitable home of the famous Thai massage. It has a Secretary General and -- of course --
a Deputy Secretary General who makes revealing statements like: "As illegal trade declines, legal
exports will rise accordingly -- in the future." Their current focus is on caviar. The five
countries of the Caspian Sea were being approached to ensure their adherence to a 2002 agreement.
All confirmed -- as required -- that they have "sound conservation plans" and that their quota
requests were based on "realistic estimates of sturgeon stocks." Even Turkmenistan which has "no
legal harvest" -- read illegal -- signed on. Fully satisfied, CITES approved further export of caviar,
though at a slightly lower level. However, Lisa Speer of the Natural Resources Defence Council, an
equally obscure but vigilent group, was very unhappy. The sturgeon has declined 90 percent and there
may be less caviar to go around in the years to come. Easy on the lemon.

INCOHERENT ED:

Those counter-productive letters seem to have taken their toll on their dutiful author. Making the
rounds among delegates and staff is a brief "byline" by "Edward Mortimer, director of Communications,
executive office of the U.N. Secretary General, New York" to the National Post "flk/a" (what does
that stand for?!). In it he doesn't seem to decide where to go. Initially he denies what his boss
seemed to be proud of a month ago, namely that Kofi Annan thought the invasion of Iraq did not
make the world less dangerous. Ironically, it was in a Mortimer-arranged BBC interview that Annan
planted that response just before the opening of the General Assembly debate. The "director"
suddenly shifts to an assurance that U.N. staff are working to help with Iraqi elections (how many
of them?!); now there is an oblique reference to Annan's reformist credentials; the problem, he
seems to allude,is "to persuade governments to take bold action." Coming from the least bold of them
all, one wonders what would be coming next. We are then told he is counting on Canada's support.
Pity that an initially capable columnist in a prominent paper turns into a ponderous and futile
letter writer.

QUOTATION OF THE MONTH:

"Women Liberation is the secret weapon for African development. The problem is that you men keep
beating them back." James Wolfensohn -- Chairman, World Bank.

WHAT? ANOTHER DIPLOMATIC "ROCK STAR?"

And we thought we had the one and only "diplomatic rock star." A favoured description of our
media savvy leadership seems to have been shared by the former Iraqi Minister of Oil. That, at
least is what Charles Duelfer said in his Weapons of Mass Destruction report -- the part that was
overlooked by some compliant reporters. Apparently some government officials and international
personalities were so anxious to welcome the former contributor to international corruption that
they treated him "like a rock star." At least that man is now out of competition with nothing
more to offer. Our inspired leadership is therfore safe -- for now. Who knows what's coming next!

KOFI ANNAN PEACEKEEPING CENTRE:

The Financial Times reported on a new peacekeeping training centre in Accra, Ghana. Painted
in "startling blue," the centre is named after one of their most distinguished expatriots
U.N. Secretary General and is geared toward mission-oriented training for African Union and
possibly U.N. troops. Kofi Annan had served for about three years as head of peacekeeping (Somalia,
Rwanda, Bosnia) before being promoted to his current post. His compatriots may be hoping that, with
his name attached to an institution in Accra, he will eventualy find an opportunity to visit his
home country. His own perceptions on peacekeeping will certainly be of special value.

The World Federation of U.N. Association (WFUNA) has to deal with a problem raised by its Lebanon
branch. Their representative in Beirut held a press conference end October denouncing the U.N. Press
Officer Nejib Friji and Special Representative Demistura. The U.N. Department of Public Information
is caught in the middle. Initially, its new leadership wanted to work with WFUNA to a point of
substituting for Information Centres. That does not seem practical, however, as in many countries
"U.N. Association" is just a few individuals who use the U.N.'s name more than giving anything
substantive to it. The face-off in Beirut comes at a bad timing for everyone concerned.

QAZI IN BAGHDAD?

For over ten days, we kept on picking up dutifully produced communiques that U.N. Representative
in Iraq Ashraf Qazi was actually in Baghdad. He was meeting with "Iraqi personalities," even once
with Interim Prime Minister. But nothing seems to reported about his movements by Arab or
international press. He recently acquired an excellent press officer. But that is not enough. There
has to be some action or vision to work with. And, Qazi, lose that "tunnel" talk.

WHO TURNED SAFIRE?

After labeling it "Annangate," columnist William Safire seemed to have shifted gears on the
thrust of the Food-for-Oil story. In a recent comment, he seemed more interested in nailing down some
foreign governments, almost defending the Secretary General. Heartening news for the 38th Floor. But
it is not the outcome of Ed's laborious letter-writing. The likely link is a more discreet one, a
fairly well connected "bird of passage," who keeps mainly to himself while performing various
missions for the Secretary General. He is a good friend of Safire for over two decades. That may
explain his resilience within the internal corrdiros of power; he bothers no other senior official,
and does a very good job indeed.

DE VILLEPIN, THE POET:

Former French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin has issued a new book of poetry. The elegant
eloquent charmer of the Security Council during the debate over Iraq wanted the first edition to be
in Arabic. The translation was done by one of the most talented Arab poets, Adonis. It was a meeting
of two creative rivers of thought under the title "The Burning Earth." It refers to the Arab
region in which de Villepin sees the puzzled universe and human tragedy. He writes: "Men hide,
fatigued by struggle. Their hands united at the edge of a fall. On their dry lips, they carry
the taste of exile."

"IFTAR" BY DANFORTH:

It was a welcome gesture of inter-religious harmony. The President of the Security Council usually
gives an official luncheon days after taking over his monthly rotating functions. This month's
Presdient, U.S. Ambassador John Danforth opted for a thoughtful gesture towards his moslem colleagues
fasting the month of Ramadan. He gave an "Iftar" (something like an early dinner) at 4:45pm, around
sunset, time to break the day's fast. Ambassador Danforth is an ordained priest, who was known
around the U.S. Congress as St. James. He had officiated at the funeral of late former President
Ronald Reagan. As a true man of God, he understands the value of harmony among all the varied
faithful.

KUWAIT DRUMS UP U.N. DAY:

The first part of the U.N. concert offered by Kuwait at U.N. Headquarters was quite impressive.
A national orchestra played soft rhythmic tunes inspired by a blend of desert and sea. While
maintaining its basic Arabic roots, the sound was unmistakeably Gulf in flavour. Diplomats and staff
genuinely applauded. The second part started well, but became repetitious: too much drums, lots of
shouting with no explanation. Again, it was the desert and the sea -- mainly circling round a boat.
One, two, three songs gave the message adequately. But it was unfair to the rest of Kuwait music.
There are excellent singers -- traditional and modern (like Guitara and Miami Kuwait) who would have
provided a welcome balance. Their traditional artists are among the best in the Gulf. So why limit
that rich culture to drum drum drum yellers, interesting as some chanting could be. Also, the sight
of an all male group holding hands, coyly shaking their shoulders and raising their opposite legs
raised some curiosity -- if not a certain interest -- amongst a puzzled New Yorkish crowd. Thank
God Kuwait has a female ambassador, Nabila Al-Mulla -- and a great one at that. Dressed in national
costume she briefly and graciously introduced the artists. That's the most that she could do. Anyway,
Kuwait made a generous offer which was appreciated by all. Only its friends wished the opportunity
could have been seized to display a wider representation of its available talent.

NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Five new countries were voted by the General Assembly mid-October to take over as non-permanent
members of the Security Council. Argentina, Denmark, Greece, Japan and Tanzenia will take their
seats on January 1 for a two-year term. One significant role for them will be to participate with
the other ten members in proposing a new Secretary General before December 2006. Countries leaving
by then are: Angola, Chile, Germany, Pakistan and Spain.

DEPUTY SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE:

Retired former Chief of Peacekeeping field operations Hocine Medili was appointed as the Principal
Deputy Special Representative in Haiti. A discreet professional, Medili had worked closely with
current Secretary General Kofi Annan first in Personnel and later in peacekeeping where he played
a pivotal role in administrative assignments. Before his recent appointment, Medili led a
multidisciplinary assessment mission to Haiti. He regained his health after a sad setback which he
overcame with admirable courage.

WHY MUSIC MATTERS:

In its slippery downward path, the "Secretary General Lecture Series" for November had as its main
theme "Why Music Matters." A very interesting topic indeed, but clearly out of touch with current
realities in Iraq, Palestinian territories, Darfur, Cote d'Ivoire and other troubled spots around
this tragic world. It would have been more interesting if some music was played for rhythmic relief.
However, it seemed like a pretext to offer the President of Bard College Conservatory of Music a
United Nations podium. It was a far cry from the first lecture, which was standing room only, by the
outstanding Toni Morrison who apparently was too much for the insecure and too mobilizing for staff
morale. Better have someone who will be most appreciative and could be counted on to read from the same
sheet of music.